DADS released two information letters on November 2: CLASS CMA, CLASS DSA, and CDSA: An excerpt: In Information Letter No. 11-79, dated September 8, 2011, the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) notified providers of cost containment measures effective December 1, 2011, for the Community Living Assistance and Support Services (CLASS) Program. The letter addressed new service limits for selected program services and the process for requesting an exception to a service limit. … [Read more...] about ILs: Cost Containment Initiative
Provider News Around the Web
Most of you probably know about Provider magazine, affiliated with the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living. Provider is a monthly publication for long term care professionals. Medicare cuts lead to nursing home layoffs. "According to a new survey from Avalere Health, nursing homes plan to lay off about 20,000 workers because of the Medicare cuts. Nursing homes also said they plan to cancel a total of 400 expansion projects that could have created … [Read more...] about Provider News Around the Web
TX Register Updates: CBA Changes, Staff Training
The following information was obtained from the November 4 issue of Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notices HHSC will hold a public hearing on December 1, 2011, at 9 a.m., to receive public comment on proposed payment rates for the AL/RC services under the CBA program, CBA Personal Care III services, and the Residential Care program, in the Lone Star Conference Room. HHSC will hold a public hearing on November 21, 2011, at 9 a.m. receive comments on rates for Medicaid Biennial … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: CBA Changes, Staff Training
ILs: Mortality Reviews, Cost Containment Initiative
DADS released six information letters: CAS, CBA, FC, and PHC providers: Regarding personal attendant services, the attendant may not directly transport the individual receiving the services. He may arrange for transportation, accompany the individual when using public transportation, or meet the individual at the location. (Letter) ICF/MR (excluding state-supported living centers): DADS will conduct mortality reviews for deaths that occurred on September 1, 2011 and later for … [Read more...] about ILs: Mortality Reviews, Cost Containment Initiative
Medicare: Physicians, Home Health Cuts
Unless Congress decides otherwise by January 1, physicians will face a 27.4 percent cut in Medicare reimbursement fees. From the AP: No one expects lawmakers to allow the axe to fall, but 48 million beneficiaries and their doctors are looking on nervously. Temporary reprieves have created a recurring problem that gets harder and harder to fix. A 1990s budget law called for automatic cuts to doctors if Medicare costs kept rising. Congress has issued so many waivers that a permanent fix would … [Read more...] about Medicare: Physicians, Home Health Cuts
DADS News Alerts: STAR+PLUS Expansion, Work Sessions
DADS posted a number of news alerts since October 21. A sample: -- On November 3, 2011, from 12:30-2 p.m. CT, CMS will host a National Provider Call on "Skilled Nursing Facility Prospective Payment System (PPS) Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 and Resource Utilization Group-Version 4 (RUG-IV) Policies and Clarifications." Registration is required to attend this call. -- HHSC is expanding the STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care delivery system into the Lubbock, El Paso, and Hidalgo service areas … [Read more...] about DADS News Alerts: STAR+PLUS Expansion, Work Sessions
TX Register Updates: Medicaid Hearing, Nursing Rule Review
The following information was obtained from the October 28 issue of the Texas Register: Public Hearings and Notice HHSC will hold a public hearing on November 16, 2011, at 1:30 p.m., to receive comment on proposed Medicaid payment rates for Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System updates, Medicaid Biennial Calendar Fee Review, Medicaid Policy Reviews, and Medicaid Special Reviews. The hearing will take place in HHSC's Lone Star Conference Room. See the Texas Register for details. HHSC … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Medicaid Hearing, Nursing Rule Review
ILs and PL: STAR+PLUS, Hospice Changes
DADS released two information letters and one provider letter: CBA, CDSA, DAHS, PHC, and CMPAS: Beginning March 1, 2012, HHSC will implement changes to CHIP services delivery, which include expanding STAR and STAR+PLUS Medicaid managed care programs to new areas and transitioning about 880,000 people currently part of the Primary Care Case Management into managed care. (Letter) Medicaid Hospice: DADS will modify the hospice physician narrative review process, effective November 1, … [Read more...] about ILs and PL: STAR+PLUS, Hospice Changes
Medicaid Around the Web
Obama administration suspends long-term care feature of health care reform. "The law that many Americans had hoped would transform the nation’s dysfunctional system of long-term care for the swelling ranks of people with disabilities and dementia quietly died this month, a victim of its own weaknesses, a toxic political environment and President Obama’s re-election campaign focus on jobs." – New York Times Some states limit Medicaid hospital coverage. "Hawaii is going even further. In April … [Read more...] about Medicaid Around the Web
TX Register Updates: Corrections, Medicaid Buy-In
The following information was obtained from the October 21 issue of the Texas Register: Public Notice DADS proposed to amend 40 TAC §92.2, Definitions, in the October 7, 2011, issue of the Texas Register and included outdated definitions for paragraph (8), "behavioral emergency" on page 6702, and paragraph (36), "personal care services" on page 6703, were erroneously included in the rule text of the proposal. Corrections: (8) Behavioral emergency--Has the meaning given in §92.41(p)(2) of … [Read more...] about TX Register Updates: Corrections, Medicaid Buy-In
